FES - The Armstrong Mutations

Louis Armstrong is viewed by many as the single most important figure in the history of jazz, introducing the world to the vocabulary of jazz soloing and the effortless rhythms of swing. Indeed, various aspects of his artistic persona -- from his earliest sides with King Oliver in the '20s through his later hits like "Hello Dolly" and "What a Wonderful World" in the '60s -- had a tremendous influence not only on jazz but on a wide range of pop music as well. Any attempt at an Armstrong homage therefore has a huge legacy to confront, and is a risky proposition bound to court controversy and engender criticism from those who would believe there is a "correct" way to honor an artist with such a towering reputation. Read More